Huddersfield University explains why boxes of dead rabbits are stored on its roof

Images of animal carcasses, including rabbits, stored on the roof of Huddersfield University's science building have been leaked by animal rights group the Animal Justice Project (Image: Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

Pictures of the rotting bodies of dead rabbits being stored in secret on Huddersfield University's roof have been leaked to the media.

But the university has disputed there is anything sinister going on.

Animal rights group, Animal Justice Project, said the shocking images were discovered by a student who gained access to the roof of the science building.

They found lines of plastic containers stacked up containing maggot infested bunnies.

The group said when it probed the university for answers about what was going on, it was merely told they were being used by Forensic Science students to be able to research discomposing tissue as part of their course.

The lack of further information prompted the group to release the images to the media amid its concerns about where the animals had come from and what was being done to them.

Sarah Dedakis, Animal Justice Project spokesperson, said: "No further information was provided to us, such as where the rabbits came from, how many were involved, if they had been experimented on while alive, or how they were killed.

“It is absolutely shocking that in 2018 Huddersfield University shows such little respect and compassion for life by leaving the bodies of these ‘throw away’ sentient animals on a roof for all the students to witness.

"It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that a leading university would act in this manner.”

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They said: "The carcasses in question are purely obtained to enable forensic science students to be able use decomposing tissue as part of their course and are located in sealed containers on the roof of a building, which is not available as a public throughfare.

"The carcasses are obtained from licenced removal specialists of fallen stock (animals that died of natural causes) or licenced companies that supply carcasses to the pet food industry."

Animal Justice Project is an international organisation campaigning to promote veganism and ending animal experiments.